Central Coast Wine Business is Strong and Growing

Date: 02/07/13

WiVi, a New Symposium and Tradeshow, Focuses on the Booming Region. Early Bird Discount Available -- February 15.

Paso Robles, CA – The wine business on California’s Central Coast is strong and growing, evident with 688* wineries now calling the region home. The industry’s newest and largest tradeshow and symposium, WiVi Central Coast brings winemakers and winegrape growers together with suppliers and industry experts. Presented by WINE BUSINESS MONTHLY and Precision Ag Consulting, WiVi will be held March 19-20 in Paso Robles, Calif. Attendees interested in the comprehensive program will receive a $25 discount on their two-day registration through February 15. Those interested in walking the tradeshow floor may register for free until March 5. Register at www.wivicentralcoast.com.

Central Coast Counties – Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Benito, San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara – have seen 16 percent growth from 2009 to 2012 in winery numbers, with the majority of brands producing fewer than 5,000 cases of wine and many with limited production. Creating a show specifically focused on the Central Coast issues reaches a new and growing target audience that may not attend industry events, which have traditionally been held in California’s North Coast.

“There is a great deal of demand for this type of event,” said Becky Zelinski, WiVi conference director. “WiVi adds a forum for the industry to learn, network and see the latest technology and services completing the multiple facets of a successful wine region.”

Quality is another indicator of the region’s growing success. During last week’s Unified Wine & Grape Symposium, WINE BUSINESS MONTHLY announced its “Hot Brands” of 2012. Topping the list of the Top 10 were three brands from the Central Coast: Carr Winery, 2010 Cabernet Franc, Santa Ynez Valley; Kunin Wines, 2007 Syrah, Santa Barbara and Two Shepherds, 2011 Grenache Blanc, Santa Ynez Valley.

“Each year we set out to find wineries that we believe are doing something special,” said Cyril Penn, editor, WINE BUSINESS MONTHLY. “We continue to see growth on the Central Coast, especially in small winery brands. Over the past year investments by larger brands and major landowners have created even more attention for the Central Coast.”

Winemakers, viticulturists and industry business owners are invited to WiVi to network with their peers, hear industry updates and walk the sold-out tradeshow floor featuring 120 suppliers. Educational credits are available for all viticulture sessions. A complete schedule is available at www.wivicentralcoast.com.

WINE BUSINESS MONTHLY (WBM) is North America’s leading wine media network. WBM’s news site, WineBusiness.com is number one in visitor traffic and page views while WINE BUSINESS MONTHLY magazine leads the category in circulation metrics and advertising pages with a readership of more than 15,000 monthly. For more information go to www.winebuisness.com.

Precision Ag Consulting is an agricultural consulting company that specializes in vineyard management, viticulture production consulting, soil fertility and irrigation management on the California Central Coast and San Joaquin Valley. For more information go to www.precisionagconsulting.com.